On Saturday at Canberra Stadium the Melbourne Storm showed they hadn’t hit rock bottom after all, snaring a 17 – 6 win ahead of the Raiders.

Beating Canberra at home is always a big ask, especially from a team coming off a disappointing 36 – 14 loss to the Broncos from round nine.

But displaying their newfound fighting spirit, the Storm silenced some of their critics, playing a tough match in front of an openly hostile crowd of over 12,100 fired-up Raiders’ supporters.

The Canberra fans weren’t receptive to the Storm from the moment they ran onto the field, and as the game progressed and Melbourne continued to get more and more in front the booing grew along with Melbourne’s lead.

The Storm didn’t let this stop them though as they, or more specifically Greg Inglis, dominated the match.

Powerhouse centre Inglis scored 16 of the Storm’s 17 points in a sensational performance worthy of the NRL’s equivalent to the Oscars.

Inglis scored his first of an eventual hat-trick of four-pointers in the 20th minute then converted his own try to give the Storm a six point lead after the first quarter.

Eight minutes later he was over the line again, booting the ball through the posts for a second time also to extend Melbourne’s lead 12 – nil.

In the final minute of play Brett Finch kicked a field goal for the visitors, and so Melbourne lead 13 – nil going into the break.

With Canberra unable to break through the Storm’s defence in the first half they were left scoreless after the first 40.

Back from the break it was a tough third quarter, with Raiders winger Daniel Vidot scoring Canberra’s first try in the 62nd minute after a brilliant bomb from boom fullback Josh Dugan. Terry Campese then kicked the conversion giving the home team their only six points of the game.

With four minutes left on the clock, Inglis completed his hat-trick and although he missed the kick, he had done more than his fare share leading Melbourne to victory.

It was the first time a rival team had been so openly hostile towards the Storm on the field since news of their salary cap scandal came to light. There was an all-in brawl started by Canberra stand-in captain Terry Campese early on after a Brett White high tackle on a Raiders player Jarrod Crocker.

This was to set the tone of the match, as they looked ready to go round two a number of times throughout the remainder of the game.

The Storm will enjoy a bye this week, but the bad news continues for the Raiders who will face off against the Dragons at WIN Stadium on Sunday. Check out the odds for this match and the others scheduled for round 11 at Ladbrokes.com.au.